Some veterans retire happily after their service, settle down with their families and enjoy a well earned sense of peace. But for others, the end of service marks the beginning of a more difficult chapter, one defined by isolation, mental health challenges and a loss of purpose. 

Organizations like the Old Pueblo Veterans Foundation in Tucson work to help those veterans through the hardest times in their lives.

“My organization, Old Pueblo Veterans Foundation (OpVets), is a non-profit that is geared towards helping the military community here in Tucson and the surrounding area,” said Executive Director Pedro Vasquez Jr., also a veteran.

Though the foundation is still in its infancy, Vasquez said it will provide direct support, advocacy and community-based programs for veterans and their families in the Old Pueblo region. 

“I have someone who owns a farm and wants to donate food. I have someone who is going to donate quilts. I also have a building I can use for group sessions to work on trauma and or other things they want to talk about,” Vasquez said.

The organization’s vision is built around improving everyday life, restoring a sense of purpose and ensuring that veterans don’t face mental health struggles alone, he said.

“I have several counselors that are willing to devote some time to assisting OPVets,” he said. In addition to counselors, there are “ministers and chaplains as well that would be willing to help, for the spiritual portion of mental health.” “OPVets would like to also host group sessions at no charge. This would be free to veterans, where they can share their experiences, their lessons and what they are dealing with.”

“One of the challenges veterans face is feeling isolated, not having the camaraderie they had while serving in the military,” added Mik Milem, executive director of Soldier’s Best Friend.

Another Arizona-based non-profit, Soldier’s Best Friend provides veterans with service related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injuries with service or therapy dogs. 

Milem works with veterans everyday, he said.

“Organizations like Pedro’s provide veterans the opportunity to connect with other veterans while doing an activity that most are capable of doing. It’s non-threatening and organic,” he said.

He said organizations like theirs can work together to address the wide variety of challenges veterans can face.

“Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate. No single organization has all the answers for veterans, nor can it meet all their needs,” he said. “So, it’s important to collaborate with other organizations, realizing that together we can achieve much more.” 

And the need among veterans is great.

“After I retired, there wasn’t much for me besides the VA,” said Thomas Douglas, a retired Air Force mechanic.

That financial assistance from the Veterans Administration helped, he said, but it didn’t fill the gap in his life that retiring from the military left.

“We’re old, we’re bored,” he said. “I’d love to go out hiking with people who understand what I’ve been through, and I know what they’ve seen, too.”

OPVets is funded through donors, private businesses in Tucson and fundraising through events in the community. The organization plans to begin rolling out its programming in May.

“My goal is to help those that need assistance to try and get back on their feet. I want to be sure that, even if I only reach one veteran, that my mission is successful,” Vasquez said.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.